Topic: RAWK preview - Arsenal v Liverpool 30 Jan 19.45

[DeLeiva]

Giroud is not bad for any other team, just he doesn't strike me as a typical Arsenal striker. Along with the Spurs strikers he is probably the weakest of the top sides.

That's a bit rough.

QPR and Villa are much worse.

[Hazell]

Giroud is not bad for any other team, just he doesn't strike me as a typical Arsenal striker. Along with the Spurs strikers he is probably the weakest of the top sides.

Maybe but really, their best threats are what's behind him, be it Podolksi, Walcott or Cazorla and all of them are capable of hurting any side. Walcott looks to be in the best form of his career and Podolksi seems to have settled in well. Cazorla is a class player as well (although according to some of the Arsenal fans in the Spiyin Kop, he's gone off the boil in recent weeks). Think the midfield needs to be on it tonight as they'll cause us problems that most others can't, if we aren't.

[redmark]

That's a bit rough.

QPR and Villa are much worse.

I think he said "of the top sides".

[rakey_lfc]

I think we also need to be direct tonight, if we can bypass their midfield early I honestly fancy Suarez and Sturridge causing their back four all sorts of problems. I think thats where Arsenal are weakest and are most liable to be hit.

[DeLeiva]

I think he said "of the top sides".

My mistake.

He did.

[ashleyrose-66]

We could hurt Arsenal on the counter-attack tonight, but that means we need to break with pace and not slow the game down when Arsenal commit players forward.

Wilshere and Cazorla will look to get in and around the edge of the Livepool box as often as they can.  Even Diaby will venture forward at times (if we sit off him like we did at Anfield) so the opportunity is there to break up the play and hit them on the break quickly.

However, that comes with it's own problems.  We're not good at defending deep.  We like having the lions share of possession, and playing on the counter attack doesn't really afford that, also Johnson likes to get forward, and won't want to be pushed back too far. 

Either way, I have seen far too much doom and gloom already about this game.  It's a winnable game, and we certainly shouldn't be going there thinking we are going to get turned over just because we had a shit day at Oldham on Sunday.

[johnny74]

Giroud is not bad for any other team, just he doesn't strike me as a typical Arsenal striker. Along with the Spurs strikers he is probably the weakest of the top sides.

He's an outstanding header of the ball and he WILL cause us problems tonight. He's just finding his feet and teams haven't yet cottoned on to this.

I would very much hope that we have a specific plan to stop him.

[Benimar Col]

Sky Sports news announcing that Reina and Enrique are back in the squad this evening, good news if that's correct.

Hinesy removed my formation because it was close to getting me muted, luckily I'd posted the good news above and if trite, it still saved me

[gorgepir]

i still think BR will play Allen and Wisdom  instead of hendo and enrique which quite rightly will leave him open to criticism

What do you mean? If he plays Wisdom it will because Enrique is not fit to start. And between Allen and Hendo it is a tossup, could go for either really and while we think it will hugely influence the outcome, I don't think that the quality level is too different at this stage.

[tjtaylor182]

What do you mean? If he plays Wisdom it will because Enrique is not fit to start. And between Allen and Hendo it is a tossup, could go for either really and while we think it will hugely influence the outcome, I don't think that the quality level is too different at this stage.

I would definitely rather see Hendo based on recent form. Playing Allen over him in the United game was one of the main reasons for the poor first half there. We need Hendersons pressing. Same team as against Norwich for me.

[Tomo!]

If Enrique fit enough to start it's a massive plus, has show before that he can match Walcott for pace.

[Get]

I just hope some players man up and don't bow to the pressure so we can play our game.

But knowing that, some will go to hiding and others will commit league 2 level mistakes, that will leave few players who rise to the occasion to save the day, and there aren't many of those.

[Severely]

Think Henderson needs to start, Enrique too if he's fit, because he's got the pace to match Walcott, who is the player who worries me most, along with Diaby, who is a beast of a player when fit.

[vicar]

I'd be surprised if Enrique starts, given him only just coming back. I suspect that means Johnson left and Wisdom right. Would also think that it will be Agger and Skrtel at the back, can't see Carra against Walcott, maybe against Giroud i suppose? Hope Pepe is back.

I also hope Henderson plays, we need him to press Diaby and help the team press higher up the field in general. With either Allen or Lucas alongside Gerrard to complete the 3. Downing should start to stretch the width on the right, otherwise I think we will end up really narrow. But we should get some joy if Sturridge can isolate Mertersacker, with luis causing havoc all around him.

At least now we have options from the bench - Borini and Sterling in particular.
Just hope we don't start poorly again. Its hard to know what to expect from this Arsenal team as their performances vary wildly, but we need to keep them under pressure and break quickly to get something from the game.

[Draex]

This is a must win game, for a multitude of reasons a) We can't loose ground on those above us, b) we need to remove the blip that was Oldham and move forward.

I don't agree with you about Podolski and Giroud - they may of started slowly, but they are now showing a bit of form.. The main issue we will face is the pace of their attack, especially Walcott who has hit a great patch of form - which is lucky for Arsenal as Carzola has gone off the boil a bit.

The key to this is the midfield, Diaby is another player like Diame - strong, atheltic and a physical presence.. Containing him and Wilshere will be paramount to building a platform for victory. I'd like us to be a bit more physical in the opening few minutes (within the letter of the law obviously!) Go clattering into a tackle and show we are here and wont be lying down - Oldham did it on Allen twice and it worked, we need to set a tone early.. Nothing wrong with a bit of hard tackle to start with - remember Carragher doing it to Nani? Worked a treat.

I think the team selection should be straight forward, but I'm sure against better judgement we shall be seeing Carragher over Skrtel - something I am massively against, this isn't a dig at Carragher as he clearly has a role to play in our current set up. I worry that Carragher simply wont be able to handle the likes of Walcott and Podolski and their pace, and if they bring on Ox Chamberlain, Carragher will drop very deep - when this happens we will start to see huge holes in front of the back four and expect the likes of Carzola and Wilshere to exploit this. We need to push forward as a unit and keep our shape or they will catch us on the counter at blistering speed and really punish us.

So Johnson and Enrique on the flanks is essential, but they need to watch being caught up field leaving us exposed on the counter.

I'd go

Reina

Johnson Skrtel Agger Enrique

Gerrard Lucas Henderson

Suarez Sturridge Borini

This midfield 3 has the perfect balance - Lucas (Destroy/pivot) Gerrard (pulling the strings, bursting forward) Henderson (Energy, high pressing, link play)

The attacking 3 also all have pace and will press. I'd expect Lucas to be tasked with man marking Carzola (A lovely strong tackle early should hopefully make him a bit more nervous)

If we press them hard from the off and disrupt their game we should win. On paper I'd say we are very evenly matched, but we have Suarez..

[sambhi92]

I think if we are to consider ourselves serious contenders for fourth then tonight is a must win. A draw wouldnt be a terrible result in the long term but I think a win is an absolute must for fourth.

Depends how we start the game.

don't know about that mate, there have been many times we've lost at Arsenal, but long time have done better than them, i think a loss wouldn't be as bad as people make out, but obviously a win will really show that the team hopefully is moving in the right steps.

[jaffod]

Arsenal are there for the taking, if ever there was a season defining match then this it, win and were in the mix lose and we can kiss 4th goodbye.

I have an Evertonian mate in work who says the same thing about Liverpool after every derby they fail to win. I call him delusional.

[Alex7]

I have an Evertonian mate in work who says the same thing about Liverpool after every derby they fail to win. I call him delusional.

We beat them last season at the Emirates
The only thing separating us from them, is their win at Anfield earlier in the season. Win this and we draw level on points.

Anyone thinking we cant' win is too pessimistic for my liking.

[gazzalfc]

A lot of those players will still be hurting (at least I hope they are). A lot of reputations need re-building. So what a good place to start doing just that.

Leaving the M25 with points is never an easy thing. But it can be done. Its time for the players to prove it

System wise its going to be very important to not over commit. Arsenal may not be the Arsenal of old but they are still built on that quick counter attack. Whoever plays LB and RB needs to make sure that they get back and do their job properly.

Pepe back between the sticks (should have played against Oldham as Brad Jones was injured) will be good to see. Lucas will be well rested and ready to go.

I would like to be optimistic but it obviously depends on which Liverpool players decide to turn up. We'll see in the first 5 mins tonight

[ac]

Looking forward to this one, although the thought of Walcott up against Carra gives me kittens.

[Kop10]

Watch out for late untracked runs into the box from Kieran Gibbs.

Walcott doesn't play as an out and out winger any longer. He's much more tucked in from the right, doesn't really attempt to beat his marker as often. Sagna really controls the right flank.

Wishere has the ability (more than any arsenal player in my opinion) to disrupt our shape. He makes the sort of runs through midfield that commits opposition players, creating space for your Podolskis and Cazorlas.

I think we can win though. Simply because of Luis Suarez.

[Discipline]

No way Enrique will start this one.  He's just come back from a hamstring injury, you don't put him in against the fastest player in the league for his return. He'll get eaten alive.

[DaveCharlie]

Still not sure how the hell I'm going to keep my gob shut amongst the home fans tonight as I am absolutely pumped up for this. Can't concentrate at work.

Whoever Brendan puts out had better be ready to rumble from the start - let's sit them on their arses a few times and see how they like it. The head says that we should settle for a draw - the gunners are a strong side. The heart says we can beat them convincingly.

If I was putting the team out it would be something like Reina / Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique / Lucas / Downing, Gerrard, Henderson / Suarridge.

I fancy Hendo to get a goal tonight, don't know why just think he has been busting a gut for weeks for the team and will put in another solid shift.

[Bangin Them In]

We beat them last season at the Emirates
The only thing separating us from them, is their win at Anfield earlier in the season. Win this and we draw level on points.

Anyone thinking we cant' win is too pessimistic for my liking.

Yes and they inflicted the 0-2 on us at ours earlier this season

The truth is somewhere between, but we have to show more resilience to compete with them.

[eLToRo]

What do you mean? If he plays Wisdom it will because Enrique is not fit to start. And between Allen and Hendo it is a tossup, could go for either really and while we think it will hugely influence the outcome, I don't think that the quality level is too different at this stage.

Both players are similar age and quality imo.

But allen is playing bad and Hnderson is playing well.Plus Henderson scored in his  last league game.

We also look a lot bigger and quicker and better at pressing wiht hendo in the team.

Hendo has to start.

[Tony19:6]

I think we'll win by four clear goals and go above them 

[CHOPPER]

Interesting and probably the best 11 on form to start with.

[GrkStav]

Unless Agger has been injured, I see no reason whatsoever to start Carragher over him. None.

The only possibility of Carragher starting is if we play with 3 CBs. Skrtel-Agger as a CB duo is, to me, a no-brainer.

[harrythered]

No way Enrique will start this one.  He's just come back from a hamstring injury, you don't put him in against the fastest player in the league for his return. He'll get eaten alive.

Well, if he is fit and is given the go ahead without any doubt of a tight hamstring, I really don't think he'll get eaten alive. In fact, whenever we play against Arsenal with him in the team, he shuts down Theo Walcott with ease. Would be brilliant to have him back, and I hope he can repeat his usual work tonight.
Also, really would be so disappointed to see Allen back in the side ahead of Henderson. Doesn't deserve it, and I think Hendo has been one of our best players recently

[Camarero25]

Unless Agger has been injured, I see no reason whatsoever to start Carragher over him. None.

The only possibility of Carragher starting is if we play with 3 CBs. Skrtel-Agger as a CB duo is, to me, a no-brainer.

Think Carra may start over Skrtel.

Would probably do the opposite myself but there you go.

[johnny74]

Pre-match thoughts from Zonal Markings Michael Cox (apologies if repost):

A peculiar feature of Liverpool's difficult away games under Brendan Rodgers is his tendency to completely change his side's formation at half-time: away at Everton, Chelsea and Manchester United he's dramatically altered his side after an underwhelming first-half performance. Now, especially after the weekend embarrassment at Oldham, he's under pressure to get it right from the start.

Following the arrival of Daniel Sturridge, Fabio Borini's return from injury, plus Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson's good form, Rodgers has plenty of experienced players to call upon. As a result, Raheem Sterling
will predominantly be a substitute for the rest of this season, while Suso is no longer a regular, and instead on the periphery of the squad.

Sterling, Borini and Joe Allen were omitted from the side that convincingly defeated Norwich 5-0 at Anfield ten days ago, and none did anything against Oldham to suggest they deserve a place in the side for the trip to Arsenal. Sterling would be a risk defensively, Borini isn't yet 100% fit following his injury lay-off, while Allen has been in poor form.

The natural approach would see Rodgers revert to the side that faced Norwich: Lucas Leiva and Steven Gerrard sitting deep, then Downing, Henderson and Luis Suarez behind Sturridge. But will Rodgers be brave enough
to play that system at the Emirates, considering Arsenal's tendency to dominate possession? I can't help feeling that he'll will want some extra passing quality in the centre of the pitch, and might start Allen: this is surely a game made for him, despite his recent form.

That would probably mean Henderson dropping to the bench, with Downing on the left and Suarez cutting inside to join Sturridge. With so many versatile options, Rodgers' tinkering is understandable, but he needs to get things right at Arsenal.



Read more: http://pickourteam.com/premierleague/news/29-01-2013/rodgers-must-get-tinkering-right-for-arsenal/814321#ixzz2JTDxyxMt

[redk84]

would be disappointed if we lose today....especially with city coming up on the weekend.

Am quietly confident in seeing a reaction from us tonight after the FA cup non-performance..i would hope that its Agger-Skrtel starting defence? carragher would be done for pace all day against the likes of these...its their main strength.

This Arsenal team is not scary....if we keep Walcott and Cazorla quiet we have a good chance of getting something here. As long as we dont try and be too clever unnecessarily in our build-up play, which ive seen signs of recently....we can hurt them if we attack quickly and efficiently.

2-1 redmen

[Tomo!]

Beers in for tonight don't let me down LFC, nowt worse than waking up hung over and pissed off on a school day .

[DerKaiser]

Why split up Agger-Skrtel?

[benjamin]

Hello everybody I am new to this forum. I just wanted to say although Skrtel has been off form lately I really think he should play ahead of Carra, Arsenals pace and control in possession would be too much to handle for his weary legs. If we really wanted we could risk it and play Wisdom at CB with Johno and Enrique back.

[AriGold]

So the Carragher bashing boring nobheads could be out in force tonight then

[krispy.red]

Think Wisdom and Johnson will start. Maybe bring Enrique on later, he could be a defensive or offensive substitute.   

[robertobaggio37]

Why split up Agger-Skrtel?

Skrtel is the worst player ever who played for LFC don't you know

[benjamin]

Does anybody think Wisdom should be given a go at CB?

[DeLeiva]

Does anybody think Wisdom should be given a go at CB?

No mate, he would only be used as cover if we suffered injuries during the match.